Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-25

| I had never received an intimation from
anyone, that was expected to go, nor
did apply for or expect said appointment.
l refused at first to go or for moment
entertain the idea, but after considerable
discussion, and the fact of my knowledge
of the country and people was urgea as
reason for my appointment, l finally con-
scented to go.
We did not start until Monday evening,
and on the train met Judge Hare, who
inf rmed me that he had been to Austin
as sn attorney to procure g pardon Tor
Pete Ysrbrough, q penitentiary convict.
After we had travelled probably htteen or
twenty miles Judge Hare invited me to
seat on his side of the car. and in conf
dental manner asked me: "Gass, what
| is there in this Willis case thai is now
being investigated at Austin? Is he
guilty Of corruption as charged" Judge
Hare knew that had been in the Pan
handle year and a half, and could tell
him something of the case | replied
that of my own knowledge i knew of 70
guilty practices or Of his having received
money, but that such chsrges were talked
of, whispered of and limited st by several
persons, but what the actual facts were |
could net say. Our conversation was
purely personal and private one, begun
in Judge Hare's berth and finished in the
smoker of the sleeping car three quarters
of an hour afterwards.
Referring to his letter, and comparing
his report of what l said to my own
knowledge and recollection of said COl-
yersatiOn, l never saw or read worse
garbled or misrepresented report in my
life. His motive for so doing will appear
further on. Now as to his statements il
the Willis letter:
|. | did not say that l "was ioStru-
mental in having the charges nled against
Judge Willis" but did tel him that IS
state agent l had, under instructions
from the Attorney-General and Land
Board, made reports from the records
and otherwise on one or two points IN
this matter.
2. did not say that "some of the
charges were wrong, and that if | had
been there (st AUSTIN | would have OBJ
jacted," etc. | had been at Austin for
two months before the charges were
made and never had hint or intimatiOn
that any were to be made. | said one of
the charges gambling | never heard of
until | saw it in the newspapers as having
been introduced by resolution in the
House by the Representative from Smith
county.
8. did not say that "nothing could be
done on the charges" or that l was going
to the Panhandle to hunt up new tssti-
mony, etc. | said that | did not know
what witnesses the Attorney General
would use to prove certain points or
charges, as l was not in his confidence
and was but slightly acquainted with
him.
The summing up or conc usioDs IN
me remainder Of The letter are ali Judge
Hare's own productions and are about as
wide of the truth of what | actually said
as vas the testimony proving only the
fact that "Judge Willis was a useful
man"
That was simply an on dit of the late
campaign and not told Judge Hare as
testimony. | was told that the defeated
candidate for District Judge, Colonel w.
II. Grigsby, was informed by Colonel
| Goodnight that the reason he aud the
cattlemen were supporting Willis in
preference to himself was that they
"thought they could use him (Wilis) the
best"
As to the discharge of my duty as an
officer of this committee ana the position
heretofore held by me under the state,
leave those who know me and how | dis
charged both trusts to say.
SUMMARY.
Il is true that Judge Hare, while hold
ing said conversation with me, was a re-
tanned attorney, psid by the friends Of
Judge Willis, ana for reasons best known
to himself he failed to inform his "old
friend" of the fact.
1t is also true that he used his high po
sition and influence to lobby with one OF
more members of the Twentieth Legisla
ture, stating to them that there was
nothing in the Willis charges.
1t is also true that he failed to notify
said member or members that he was .
retained attorney in the Willis case.
The state may require an officer to KEEP
! his mouth shut and not even form or eX
press on opinion on any official duty upor
which he may be sent, but l have failed
to fad any such statute or rule, or Il
even hear Of its existence. SO far as my
private opinions are concerned, they are
mine, aud have always been IN the habi
OF using my own pleasure about express
ing them, ard SO far as this matter is con
cerned, | an yet to be convinced that
have violsted any duty or done disCredi
20 the state, my friends or myself. VERY
respectfully, W. 7. GAss.